Washington County Court Records Search
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Washington County is located in western Maryland, with Hagerstown as its county seat. The county’s court system operates under the Maryland Judiciary, which administers trial courts statewide through Circuit Courts and District Courts. The Circuit Court for Washington County serves as the court of general jurisdiction, handling major civil disputes, serious criminal cases, family law matters, and juvenile proceedings. The District Court of Maryland for Washington County adjudicates misdemeanors, certain felonies, traffic violations, landlord-tenant disputes, and civil claims up to $30,000. Probate matters fall under the jurisdiction of the Orphans’ Court, with the Register of Wills serving as its clerk.
Individuals looking for Washington County court records can access them through several channels. The Maryland Judiciary Case Search portal allows free online searches of case docket information across all Maryland courts. The Maryland Judiciary Record Search portal, accessible through the Maryland Electronic Courts (MDEC) system, provides document-level access. Probate records can be searched through the Register of Wills’ online estate database. Property and land records are available through the Maryland Land Records portal. In-person requests can be directed to the appropriate clerk’s office at one of the courthouses in Hagerstown. Additional statewide court information is available through MarylandStateCourts.us.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Washington County?
Washington County court cases are filed and maintained at two primary courthouses and the Orphans’ Court facility, all located in Hagerstown. Below are the court locations and contact details:
Washington County Circuit Court
Address: 24 Summit Avenue, Hagerstown, MD 21740
Phone: (301) 733-8660
Toll-Free (Maryland): (800) 937-2062
Fax: (301) 791-1151
Email: washcocc_clerk@mdcourts.gov
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. (closed on legal holidays)
Washington County District Court
Address: 36 W. Antietam Street, Hagerstown, MD 21740-5524
Phone: (240) 420-4600
Toll-Free (Maryland): (800) 945-1406
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. (closed on legal holidays)
Washington County Orphans’ Court
Address: 100 W. Washington Street, Suite 3500, Hagerstown, MD 21740
Court Phone: (301) 791-3298
Fax: (301) 733-8636
Washington County Register of Wills
Address: 100 W. Washington Street, Suite 3400, Hagerstown, MD 21740
Phone: (301) 739-3612
The Circuit Court Clerk’s Office phone system routes callers by department:
- Option 0 — General Information
- Option 1 — Licensing (marriage licenses, business licenses)
- Option 2 — Civil Division
- Option 3 — Criminal Division
- Option 4 — Land Records
- Option 299 — Jury Duty
There are three primary ways to look up a Washington County court case:
- Online search: Use Maryland Judiciary Case Search to locate case records by case number or party name. An advanced search feature allows filtering by case category (civil, criminal, etc.). Alternatively, the Maryland Judiciary Record Search portal, available through MDEC e-filing, permits viewing of court documents without registration by clicking the “View Document Here” link.
- In-person search: Visit the clerk’s office at the courthouse where the case was filed. The Circuit Court Clerk’s Office requires requesters to provide a case number; staff cannot search by name alone. Public access kiosks are available throughout the Washington County Circuit Court building for locating case numbers before approaching the counter.
- Written request: Send a letter or completed request form to the appropriate clerk’s office specifying the case number and the documents needed. Include payment for copy fees and a return address.
Copies of court records cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies cost $5.00 per certification plus the $0.50 per page photocopy fee. The Circuit Court Clerk’s Office accepts Visa, MasterCard, Discover, cash, checks, and money orders. American Express, Google Pay, Apple Pay, and touchless transactions are not accepted.
Are Court Records Public in Washington County?
Maryland law presumes that court records are open to public inspection. The Maryland Public Information Act and the Maryland Rules governing Access to Judicial Records establish the framework for public access. Under Md. Rule 16-903, a court record includes any document, notice, paper, order, docket entry, exhibit, or other record maintained by a clerk in connection with a proceeding.
Members of the public may inspect court records without charge at the clerk’s office. When copies are requested, the standard fee is $0.50 per page for photocopies and $5.00 for certification (plus per-page charges). In the District Court, certified copies of judgment cost $10.00 plus $0.50 per page.
However, certain records are confidential and not available for public inspection. Under Md. Rule 16-914, the following categories of records are deemed confidential:
- Medical records
- Adoption records
- Income tax returns
- Juvenile delinquency proceedings
- Certain marriage license information
- Emergency mental health evaluations
- Guardianship proceedings terminating parental rights
- Child in need of assistance (CINA) cases
- Actions for judicial declaration of gender identity
- Financial statements filed in spousal or child support cases
- Search warrants, applications, and supporting affidavits prior to execution
- Reports filed by a guardian regarding the property of an alleged disabled adult
- Reports filed by a physician regarding the medical condition of an alleged disabled adult
Records that have been expunged, shielded, or sealed by court order are also removed from public access. Maryland’s expungement process allows individuals to petition for removal of certain criminal records from public view, while shielding under the Maryland Second Chance Act permits qualifying convictions to be hidden from public databases like Case Search. Parties filing documents with the court should be aware that personally identifying information — such as Social Security numbers and financial account numbers — should be redacted before filing.
Washington County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Washington County are divided between the Circuit Court and the District Court based on the severity of the offense. The District Court hears misdemeanors, certain felonies, and traffic violations, while the Circuit Court handles serious felony cases and jury trial prayers from the District Court. The District Court does not conduct jury trials; defendants requesting a jury trial in a District Court case may pray the case to the Circuit Court, which triggers a $80 filing fee.
Criminal court records typically include case docket information, charges and CJIS codes, statute codes, disposition information, sentencing details, judicial officer assignments, and court scheduling data. The public can access criminal case docket information at no cost through the Maryland Judiciary Case Search portal by entering a name or case number.
To obtain copies of specific criminal case documents, requesters should visit the appropriate clerk’s office with the case number. The Criminal Division at the Circuit Court can be reached by calling (301) 733-8660 and selecting option 3. Copies cost $0.50 per page, and certified copies cost $5.00 per certification plus the per-page fee.
Requesting a state criminal background check is a separate process handled by the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS). The Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) Central Repository maintains official criminal history records. Background check fees are:
| Type | Mail-In | In-Person |
|---|---|---|
| State background check only | $18.00 | $38.00 |
| State background check with Gold Seal | $19.00 | $39.00 |
| Full background (state and FBI) for authorized agencies | $31.25 | $51.25 |
In-person fees include a $20.00 CJIS service fee for fingerprinting. Fingerprint cards and processing can be completed at authorized fingerprinting locations throughout the state or at the CJIS office at 6776 Reisterstown Road, Suite 102, Baltimore, MD 21215. Mail-in requests should be sent to:
CJIS – Central Repository
P.O. Box 32708
Pikesville, MD 21282-2708
Overnight mail should be directed to:
CJIS – Central Repository
6776 Reisterstown Road, Suite 217
Baltimore, MD 21215-2346
For local arrest records or detention-related inquiries, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office can be contacted. The Detention Center number is (240) 313-2133.
Expungement of criminal records is available for qualifying dispositions, such as acquittals, dismissals, nolle prosequi entries, stet dispositions, and certain guilty dispositions. In the District Court, a petition for expungement of a guilty disposition costs $30.00, while petitions for non-guilty dispositions carry no filing fee. In the Circuit Court, the expungement petition fee for guilty dispositions is also $30.00. Petitions for Second Chance shielding carry no filing fee.
Washington County Civil Court Records
Civil litigation in Washington County is handled by both the Circuit Court and the District Court. The District Court has exclusive original jurisdiction over civil cases where the amount in controversy is $5,000 or less and shares concurrent jurisdiction with the Circuit Court for claims between $5,000 and $30,000. The Circuit Court has exclusive jurisdiction over civil cases exceeding $30,000, equity matters, and foreclosures.
The District Court also has exclusive jurisdiction over landlord-tenant disputes, including failure-to-pay-rent proceedings, breach of lease, and tenant-holding-over actions. Replevin actions and detinue claims are also within the District Court’s purview.
Filing fees for civil cases in the District Court (as of March 2026) include:
| Filing Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Small Claims (contract/tort, new suit) | $44.00 |
| Large Claims (contract/tort, new suit) | $56.00 |
| Failure to Pay Rent (outside Baltimore City) | $50.00 |
| Breach of Lease (outside Baltimore City) | $56.00 |
| Tenant Holding Over (outside Baltimore City) | $56.00 |
| Confessed Judgment | $56.00 |
Service fees are additional: $60.00 per defendant if served by the Sheriff, or $20.00 per defendant if mailed by the clerk.
Filing fees for civil cases in the Circuit Court (effective October 1, 2025) include:
- New civil case: $165.00 (includes $80.00 filing fee, $55.00 MLSC surcharge, and $30.00 Records Improvement Fund)
- Voluntary dismissal: $15.00
- Motion to modify (alimony, custody, support, or visitation): $31.00
- Petition/motion for contempt: $31.00
- Foreclosure complaint: $165.00 (plus $450.00 additional fee for residential property)
The current Circuit Court fee schedule and District Court cost schedule provide complete lists. Fee waivers are available for qualifying individuals under Maryland’s filing fee waiver program.
Civil case records can be searched online through Case Search or the Record Search portal. In-person requests for copies should be made at the Civil Division of the Circuit Court (call option 2 at (301) 733-8660) or at the District Court clerk’s office. Court forms for civil proceedings are available in the Circuit Court Law Library at 24 Summit Avenue, Hagerstown, or through the Maryland Judiciary court forms page.
Washington County Family Court Records
Family law cases in Washington County are adjudicated by the Circuit Court. The court handles divorce (limited and absolute), child custody, child support, visitation, paternity, domestic violence protective orders, and adoption proceedings. The Family Division of the Clerk’s Office can be contacted through the main Circuit Court phone number at (301) 733-8660.
Divorce filings in Washington County require a $165.00 filing fee for a complaint for limited or absolute divorce. There is no additional fee for a supplemental bill of complaint or a motion to request restoration of a maiden name. Motions to modify custody, support, or visitation cost $31.00 per filing. A petition or motion for contempt also costs $31.00.
Domestic violence protective orders may be filed at no cost to the petitioner. If the court orders costs assessed against the respondent, the fee is $165.00. There is no filing fee for out-of-state protective order registrations or petitions to shield domestic violence records.
Marriage licenses are issued by the Circuit Court Clerk’s Office at 24 Summit Avenue, Hagerstown. The application fee is $60.00, payable by cash, certified check, or credit card (no personal checks). Only one party is required to appear for the application, but both parties must provide a copy of an official government-issued birth certificate or similar document demonstrating age. The license is valid only in Washington County and becomes effective at 6:00 a.m. on the second calendar day after issuance. It expires after six months. Civil ceremonies are performed by appointment, Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to noon and 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., for a $25.00 ceremony fee. Appointments can be scheduled through the Circuit Court’s online booking page.
Copies of marriage records are available in person or by mail. Fees are $5.50 for each certified copy and $0.50 for each plain copy. Mail requests should be sent to the Clerk of the Circuit Court, 24 Summit Avenue, Hagerstown, MD 21740, along with a check or money order payable to “Clerk of Circuit Court”. A request form for certified copies of marriage records is available from the court’s website.
Birth and death certificates are issued by the Washington County Health Department at 1302 Pennsylvania Avenue, Hagerstown, MD 21742. Birth certificates are available in person only for Maryland births from 1940 to the present, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. Death certificates are available in person Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Both cost $20.00 per copy (cash, Visa, and MasterCard accepted). Requesters must present a government-issued photo ID and a completed application — for birth certificates, the birth certificate application form, and for death certificates, the death certificate application form. Requests by mail, online, or phone must be directed to the Maryland Department of Health, Division of Vital Records in Baltimore.
The Circuit Court also offers a Family Law Self-Help Clinic with walk-in sessions held at the Circuit Court Law Library:
- Tuesday: 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Thursday: 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Washington County Probate Court Records
Probate jurisdiction in Washington County belongs to the Orphans’ Court, with the Register of Wills serving as its clerk. The Register of Wills oversees the opening of estates, acceptance of wills for probate, appointment of personal representatives, collection of inheritance taxes, filing of estate inventories and accounts, and referral of delinquent matters to the Orphans’ Court. The current Register of Wills is the Honorable Lacy M. Flook.
The Register of Wills Office is located at:
Washington County Register of Wills
Address: 100 W. Washington Street, Suite 3400, Hagerstown, MD 21740
Phone: (301) 739-3612
The Orphans’ Court, which adjudicates contested probate matters, sits at:
Washington County Orphans’ Court
Address: 100 W. Washington Street, Suite 3500, Hagerstown, MD 21740
Phone: (301) 791-3298
Fax: (301) 733-8636
Probate records can be searched online through the Estate Search portal maintained by the Maryland Register of Wills. Users can search by estate number, last name, first name, filing date, county, estate status, or estate type. Documents can be downloaded from the portal for $0.50 per page. In-person visitors may use the public viewing stations at the Register of Wills Office to view probate documents and images at no charge, though printing costs $0.50 per page.
The Maryland State Archives also maintains historical Washington County probate records online through its probate indexes. The Archives’ search room in Annapolis provides access to additional probate materials; scheduling an appointment before visiting is recommended.
Fiduciary annual account filing fees in the Circuit Court are $10.00. Review of accounts by the Trust Clerk involves additional fees based on estate value: $10.00 for estates up to $10,000, $20.00 for estates between $10,000 and $25,000, and $30.00 for estates exceeding $25,000.
Property and land records related to estates or real property transactions are maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk’s Land Records Department. These records — including deeds, mortgages, plats, and conveyances — can be searched online through mdlandrec.net (a free account is required) or in person at the research room in the Circuit Court building, open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Land Records department can be reached by calling (301) 733-8660 and selecting option 4. Recording fees for land instruments start at $50.00 for a release of nine pages or fewer, and $60.00 for other instruments of nine pages or fewer.